Castelo de Marvão

Marvão sits on a granite ridge on the border with Spain, and its castle crowns the village. From the keep, the view stretches over the Alentejo plain and across the border, making it one of the most spectacular viewpoints in Portugal.

A border castle

The castle and the walls that encircle the village were built and rebuilt between the thirteenth and seventeenth centuries, as the frontier with Castile shifted and the need for defence grew. The village within the walls has kept its whitewashed streets and its medieval layout, and the whole ensemble is one of the most complete fortified villages in the country.

What to see

• The castle keep and the walls, with a walk along the ramparts.
• The village inside the walls, with its narrow streets and white houses.
• Views over the Alentejo and into Spain.
• The nearby village of Marvão, one of the most beautiful in Portugal.

Visiting the castle

The castle is at the top of Marvão, in the Alentejo. Opening hours are published by the municipality, so check the official website before your visit.

Visitor information: cm-marvao.pt.

Image credit: Castelo de Marvão, by Elemaki, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.